Hey, Rush, in case you missed the Bush years

Coming soon to a voting booth near you. It was a creature born out of failure, inner turmoil, deregulation and an innate inability to evolve since prehistoric times (i.e. since before Reagan). It’s THE HEADLESS POLITICAL PARTY! I’m sorry but I’ve had to fight the urge in recent days to send a memorial wreath to the Republican Party.
It started pretty much the moment Chief Justice John Roberts, a Republican nominee, finished bungling the presidential oath of office. The Republicans in Congress immediately began a campaign to obstruct and defeat incoming President Barack Obama’s plans for economic recovery, his budget proposal and probably even his dinner plans.
What really had me rolling on the floor and shooting beer out of my nose was the GOP’s rationale for opposing Obama’s plans. It is too much spending creating too much of a deficit, the Republicans complained. This from the same people who held power in Washington for the eight years of the George Bush administration when government went on an unprecedented spending spree.
During Bill Clinton’s administration, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the nation had a budget surplus of between $70 billion and $236 billion although it is estimated that, at the time Bush took office in 2001, the surplus stood at about $128 billion.
Bush and his allies ran budget deficits each of the eight years he was in office, leaving this year with an estimated $342 billion deficit and a commitment to continue spending $12 billion a month in Iraq.
So isn’t the current rationale for opposing Obama’s plans a little like the pot calling the kettle … nevermind.
Then I thought I was going to break a rib laughing when none other than Rush Limbaugh recently called on conservatives to take back the country. Take it back to where? 1929? In case you haven’t noticed, Rush, they’re the ones who got us into this mess.
Then Rush tried to anoint himself as head of the party, criticizing Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele for lack of leadership, not doing enough to sink Obama’s plans and for calling him an “entertainer.” For once, Rush, I have to agree with you.
You’re anything but entertaining.
But after criticizing Limbaugh and using words like “incendiary” and “ugly” to describe his radio show, Steele, like all good Republicans, had to go kneel, kiss Rush’s ring and apologize.
So the GOP is adrift and plagued with infighting, a lack of direction and a likely presidential front-runner who’s probably out moose hunting. The gods of retribution must have been saving up the last eight years for this.
The Democrats, of course, are elated if not down on the floor rolling with laughter like me. With Limbaugh as leader of the GOP, the Democrats can’t lose. Either the Grand Old Party really has lost its head or somebody’s handing out free Oxycontin.
Marty Russell writes a Wednesday column for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 222 Farley Hall, University MS 38677 or by e-mail at marusse1@olemiss.edu.